Cockroaches

These cockroaches are a year-round hindrance for our service areas. Unlike their name, they came from Southeast China and are not “German” at all. Originating from a warmer climate, they tend to be sensitive to the cold.

The German Cockroach can be found in any living or commercial environment such as homes, apartments, restaurants, hotels, and institutions like hospitals, nursing homes, schools, and daycare centers. During the day, they hide in tight spaces, around appliances and sinks, and in the walls. Due to their disappearing act, you may have a severe infestation even before seeing the first cockroach.

They are attracted to meats, starches, sugars, and fatty foods; however, may even eat soap, glue, and/or toothpaste if hungry enough. They scavenge for food and water at night and are quick to scurry when you turn a light on or disrupt their hunt.

Males are found to be a pale brown or even tan in color and have two darker lines on the top of their head. Their abdomen is slender and taper in shape; underneath is more yellow in color. Females differ by being a darker brown color with a wider abdomen.

The American Cockroach is active year-round and are typically found in warm, moist locations. They travel through sewage and plumbing systems and air ducts. Even though they frequent and infest commercial areas such as restaurants, grocery stores, bakeries, warehouses, and office buildings they have no problem hanging out in your home, basement, crawl spaces and cracks in a foundation.

Like the German Cockroach, their name is not indicative as to their origin, and are native to Africa and the Middle East.

The American Cockroach has the largest body of any other cockroach in our service areas. Even though they are a weak flier, maybe due to the shortness of their wings, they are one of the fastest running insects. Take note that the male's wings extend beyond their abdomen. Males and females are found to be similar in color having shiny, reddish-brown wings and a more pale neck with two darker markings on the top center. It has an average length of 4cm and is about 7mm tall. Molting 6-14 times before metamorphosis, the American Cockroach has the longest life cycle - up to about 700 days.

This pesty cockroach will eat just about anything from fermenting food, starch from the bindings of books, flakes of dry skin, to beer and leather – not to mention dead animals and other cockroaches.

The American cockroach emits an odorous secretion that can change the flavor of food. The more of these cockroaches you have, the more likely you will be able to smell the secretion. Our technicians will agree to this fact. Unfortunately, disease-causing bacteria, like Salmonella, can travel on their legs and be left on food they walk on which can cause food poisoning or infections. Even house dust containing cockroach feces can cause allergic reactions and asthmatic attacks.

To most people, the Oriental Cockroach looks like and is referred to as a Waterbug or Black Beetle because they like dark, moist areas. They are slow in movement, poor climbers and are unable to fly.

The Oriental Cockroach is shiny, and dark reddish-brown to blackish brown in color. The male's wings only cover about three-fourths of their body while the females have short, all but non-existent wings.

Typically, this cockroach can be found in sewers, drains, basements, and other damp areas. They hide under mulch, leaves and in woodpiles. Their diet consists mainly of decayed items like plants, human scraps, and animal matter.

A major household pest in our service areas, they emit a strong smell and are considered one of the nastiest cockroaches. From their legs, they can transfer bacteria and viruses like Salmonella, E. Coli, Dysentery, and food poisoning to anything they encounter, such as food, kitchen utensils, dishes, and countertops. It is extremely important to call our office if you see them in your home!